Ventilator cabinet



Jan. 17, 1933. H. c. HUEGLIN 1,894,930

VENTILATOR CABINET Filed Jan. 6, 1930 J3 iii/a6.

Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERMAN O. HUEGLIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO FEDERAL MERCHANDISE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS VENTILATOR CABINET Application filed January 6, 1930. Serial No. 418,672.

This invention relates to ventilating appliances, and more particularly to ventilating cabinets for use in improving the ventilation of rooms in a building such for example as a kitchen, or to improve the ventilation of oflices, shops or in fact any buildmg.

The employment of exhaust fans to improve the ventilation of certain rooms in a residence, particularly to improve the ventilation of the kitchen, is known. These fans are generally of medium size employing electrically driven fans traveling at a relatively low rate of speed.

To this end, a variety of types of fans have been provided, those more generally now in use being of the type in which the fans are usually mounted within a ring shaped spider which supports the motor. To mount this latter type of fan in the wall of the kitchen. it has been the custom heretofore to mount the spider ofthe fan in a framework which ls held before an opening in the wall on the inner side of the wall, the outer side of the wall at the opening being provided with a frame supporting a multi-vane louvre closure normally held in closed condition and generally either manually operated to open position or automatically operated to open position by the blasts of air when the fan is caused to operate. Inasmuch as these fans are usually mounted in proximity to the ceiling of the room, where the multi-vane louvre closure is adapted to be manually operated, various operating means in the form of links and levers have been employed whereby the operation of the closure is facilitated. It will be apparent that in this type of construction, in order that the operating means be within the reach of persons of average height, the operating means must extend downwardly along the wall for a substantial portion of the wall. This construction necessarily involves a number of elements which must be well finished in order not to be unsightly, and in addition, in a well kept room. these operating devices must of course be dusted, cleaned and polished, thus involving time and labor in the keeping up of the appearance thereof.

Furthermore, inasmuch as the spider of the fan usually projects inwardly of the wall of the room, that is, within the enclosure, the spider and motor also require constant attention in respect to dusting and polishing. In the case of the automatically op erated multi-vane louvre closure, it has been found that when the fan is idle and the louvres closed, outside winds or interior drafts tending to flow through the opening, cause the louvres to rattle and become noisy, and furthermore fail to provide a weather tight means during inclement weather particularly during the winter season in sections of the country where such season is accompanied by rather long periods of extremely cold weather.

In my present invention, I have provided an exhaust fan of the same general type above referred to, and have provided a novel mounting for the fan adapting it forinsertion in the wall of the residence, so that the air in the room may be exhausted without the accompanying disadvantages of the above outlined constructions being encountered.

In carrying out the present invention, I have provided a novel construction whereby the fan is supported Within the wall upon a panel rigidly secured to an inside frame adapted to be mounted on the inner face of a wall before a recess provided in the wall for this purpose.

With the inner frame in position, the fan is supported and confined within the inner and outer faces of the wall. On the inner side of the frame, a tight fitting flush door is provided and is hinged along'the lower horizontal edge of the frame to open inwardly and downwardly. This door is provided with a double-acting catch which is adapted to be automatically operated by the opening and closing of the door, so that only an opening or closing of the door is required to move the door to its open or closed condition. This portion of the cabinet is also provided with a switch suitably supported therewithin between the fan supporting panel and the door and is adapted to be automatically operated by the opening and closing movements of the door to make and break the electrical connections of the fan motor thereby controlling the operation of the fan.

A frame provided with a multiplicity of louvres adapted to swing about horizontal pivots, is mounted on the outer face of the wall and is held before the recess or open ing. In closed position, the louvres are adapted to be tight fitting and flush with the outer face of the frame. The louvres swing outwardly and upwardly to open position and in fully open condition serve as awnings projecting outwardly to guard the fan opening against the entrance of rain or snow and also being adapted to shield the opening against sunlight without obstructing the flow of air through the opening.

On their rear sides, that is, on the sides facing the interior of the room, the louvres are provided with perpendicularly disposed, ver tical extensions or ears of substantially right triangular shape, with the rearwardly disposed apices being connected together by a bar so that the louvres may be moved in unison to open or closed position. A coil spring has one end thereof connected to the bar and the other end suitably connected to the frame and is adapted to normally raise the bar thereby constantly urging the louvres to closed position. This spring may be of relatively stout construction so as to exert a substantial pull upon the bar whereby the louvres are held tightly closed in closed condition.

A flexible connector such for example as a wire cable, is suitably connected at one end to the inner side of the door, that is that side of the door facing the outer end of the opening, and passes under a pulley wheel suitably supported in the bottom of the inner frame panel support, extends through the fan supporting panel. passes under a direction change pulley suitably sup orted on the rear side of the out-er frame and has its other end suitably connected to the lower end of the louvre bar.

Thus as the inner door is opened, swinging inwardly and downwardly, the louvre connecting bar is pulled downwardly against the tension of the spring so that the louvres are opened concurrently with the opening of the door. At its free edge and on the side thereof facing the interior of the room, the door is provided with a suitable knob and hook member so that in the event that the knob is inaccessible to a person of average height, the hook may be engaged by a suitable pole or rod whereby the door may be opened by a person within the room. The

inner and outer frames may be suitably supported upon a wood frame lining the sides of the opening.

lVith the above in view. it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a ventilator appliance which will fit all walls of average thickness or greater than average lator appliance which provides a substantial-- ly weatherproof construction. By the provision of an inner frame provided with a flush door and an outer frame provided with a multi-vane louvre closure wherein the louvres are adapted to be tightly closed, the device insures of maximum weatherproofing quality against ingress of outside winds during inclement weather conditions. The

louvres of the outer frame closure are built of.

heavy gauge steel and in closed condition are adapted to fit even and tight to withstand the severest weather. Due to the substantial spring employed to normally urge the louvres to closed condition, rattle and clatter of the louvres is entirelyeliminated. By the provision of a mechanical connection between the i inner door and the louvres of the outer closure, perfect operation of the two closures at all times is insured thereby eliminating any pressure against the exhaust under all outside weather conditions.

A further object is the provision of a ventilator appliance which is of simple construction and at the same time of pleasing appearance both inner and outer, thereby lending itself particularly to harmonization with both interior and exterior decoration. the simplicity of the inner frame structure and the provision of a flush fitting door there for, the inner portion of the appliance may be finished to harmonize with the interior decoration of the room where the device is installed partlcularly where such an effect is highly desirable, whereby the inner portion In view of of the device may be suitably finished to suit 4 the desires of the ultimate user.

In addition, there is no inwardly projecting part obviating a dust collecting element which if not attended to at frequent intervals presents an unsightly appearance. The flush construction of the outer frame and its appurtenant multi-vane louvre closure are likewise of pleasing appearance.

Another object is the provision of a ventilator appliance which is provided with an outer closure and an inner closure, the former being controlled by the operation of the latter. As hereinbefore stated due to the mechanical connection between the inner and outer closures, chatter is eliminated and perfect operation is insured. The mechanical connector between the two closures is so connected to the inner closure as to give the inner closure a mechanical advantage in operating the outer closure as the inner closure is moved to open position. Thus very little effort is required in the opening of the two closures'and at the same time the inner closure is adapted to maintain the outer closure in open condition by the weight of the inner closure.

A further object is the provision of a ventilator appliance in which the fan and motor are supported upon the inner frame within the confines of the wall. The spider supporting panel is spaced from the inner frame toward the outer side of the wall in mounted condition.

. Thus when the appliance is not in use and the closures are in closed condition, the fan and motor are not normally exposed thereby eliminating the collection of dust thereupon during idle periods.

Another object is the provision of a doubleacting catch upon the inner door thereby avoiding the requirement of the operation of a latching element in the opening and closing movement of the door. By the provision of such a catch, all that is required to manipulate the door and the multi-vane louvre closure is a pull upon the door to open both closures or a push upon the door to close both closures. It will be apparent that this is quite advantageous in view of the fact that the appliance is generally mounted in proximity to the ceiling of the room so that it is normally out of the reach of a person of average height. The provision of the above noted type of catch therefore permits of easy operation and manipulation of the closures thus avoiding undue exertion on the part of the person operating the inner door.

Another object is the provision of an automatically controlled switch for the fan motor circuit. To this end the switch employed is provided with a plunger normally urged into engagement with the door of the inner frame.

Opening of the door permits the plunger to be projected outwardly of the switch casing thereby making the fan motor circuit and closing of the door projects the plunger inwardly of the switch housing thereby breaking the fan motor circuit. By this arrangement it is impossible to run the fan unless the door is open, a very desirable feature since when the fan .is running, an outlet must be provided for the air moved by it if it is to be of any service in ventilating the room. The necessity of closing the door to stop the fan guards against damage to the home due to rain or snow being driven into the fan opening when the fan is not running, as would be likely to occur if it were possible to stop the fan without closing the door.

Other and further objects will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which: a

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the appliance illustrating it as a complete unit as installed, with the interior door and exterior migti-vane louvre closure in closed condition; an

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the interior door and exterior multilouvre closure in open position.

For purposes of illustration I have disclosed the ventilator appliance as mounted in an opening provided in a brick wall 10, the opening being lined with a wood frame 11, preferably made of 2" lumber. The inner portion of the appliance comprises a sheet metal cabinet member or propeller and motor assembly housing 12 comprising a four-sided frame 13 provided with a flush door 1% pivotally connected thereto along the bottom edge by suitable hinges-15, the door being adapted to open downwardly and inwardly into the room. The body of the propeller and the motor assembly housing 12 comprises a rectangular member extending outwardly and laterally of'the frame 13 and is provided at its forward edge with inwardly turned flanges 16 andsuitably secured to the outer face of the frame 13. The vertical side walls of the four-sided member are integrally connected together at the outward edges thereof by a panel 17 while the upper and lower walls of the four-sided member comprise inserts suitably secured to the vertical Walls by inwardly extending flanges 18 along the upper and lower edges of the side Walls and the panel 17. The panel 17 is provided with a substantially circular opening in which an offset portion 19 of a spider rim 20 is adapted to seat with the spider rim being suitably secured to the panel 17 as for example by means of bolts 21. The spider rim 20 has integrally formed therewith and extending inwardly therefrom a spider 22 supporting a housing 23 in which a motor 24 is adapted to be mounted, the armature shaft 25 of said motor carrying a suitable propeller 26 adapted to rotate in the plane of the spider rim 20. In the preferred embodiment of my invention I employ an exhaust fan of the type shown in my copending application, Serial Number 289,573, filed June 30, 1928, (Case 1), although any exhaust fan of suitable size may be substituted therefor.

Along its lower edge and centrally thereof, the panel 17 is provided with a recess 27. A direction change grooved pulley wheel 28 is supported upon the upper face of the bottom wall of the propeller and motor assembly housing 12, the pulley wheel being in alignment with the recess 27. The purpose of the recess 27 and pulley wheel 28 will be hereinafter described.

The motor 24 of the fan assembly is suitably connected by an electrical connector 29 with a switch 30 suitably secured to the flange 16 of the bottom wall of the fan assembly housing 12, the switch being provided with a normally outwardly projected plunger 31 (see Figure 2) which is adapted to be in constant abutment with the door 14 adjacent its lower edge. When the door 14 is opened,

the plunger 31 is pushed out by a spring withingthehswitch 30 to operate the switch and close an electrical circuit through it.

Commercial switches of this type which are in common use as door switches in closets, telephone booths, and the like, are particularly well adapted for use as a door switchin the instant application, and are of suflicient capacity to carry the current required by the preferred fan motor. It will be apparent that when the door is closed, the plunger'3l will be pushed into the switch 30 by the door, thereby breaking the electrical circuit.

Adjacent one vertical edge of the door 14, a suitable stop arm 32 is secured to the inner face of the door and is adapted to extend inwardly of the fan housing 12, the inwardly extending end thereof being provided with an offset lug 33 which is adapted to abut the inner face of the adjacent flange 16 of the fan housing 12 when the door 14 is in open position to limit the outward opening movement of said door.

An inwardly projecting bracket 34 is secured to the inner face of the door 14 in proximity to the lower edge thereof and along the Vertical axis of the door, the out wardly projecting portion of the bracket being provided with a suitable securing means 35. The purpose of this bracket and securing means will be hereinafter described.

Adjacent the upper edge of the door 14 and supported upon the inner face of said door, is a double-acting swinging arm roller catch 36 which is adapted to engagethe downward- 1y depending flange 16 of the upper wall of the fan housing 12 to retain the door in closed position. Commercial catches of the type now generally in use as screen door catches are particularly well adapted for use in this connection inasmuch as they act asa checking and final closing means and due to the springs employed therein, tend to hold the door in closed condition under pressure.

Adjacent tbeupper edge of the door 14 and on the outer face thereof a suitable knob 37 is secured in opposed relation to the doubleacting catch 36. A downwardly depending outwardly extending hook bracket 38 is suitably secured by the knob securing means for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The upper and lower walls of the fan assembly housing 12 are provided with perforations 30 throughwhich wood screws40 are adapted to pass to secure the cabinet or housing312 to the wood frame 11.

0th the side walls and the upper and lower walls of the fan assembl housing or cabinet 12 are provided with nook-out lugs or plugs 41 for purposes of accommodating the electrical conduit connecting the switch 30 with the house circuit.

The outer portion of the ventilator appliance comprises a frame 42 provided on the inner face thereof with a spaced continuous flanged member 43 in the side walls of which pivots .44 of a multiplicity of louvres 45 are adapted to be retained. The louvres are formed of relatively heavy gauge sheet metal, the pivot portion thereof being made by rolling the metal, theswinging edge of each being provided with a beaded portion 46 which in closed position is adapted to embrace the pivot portion of the adjacent louvre. Each louvre 45 is provided with an inwardly extending right triangular shaped ear 47 and the inwardly disposed apices of these cars are connected together by a bar 48 by suitable pins 49. A coil spring 50 of substantially stifi material has one end thereof connected to the bar 48 adjacent the lower end thereof with the upper end of the spring 50 suitably secured to the upper flange 43. The normal tendency of the spring 50 is to raise the bar 48 thereby normally tending to close the louvres 45. The lower end of the bar 48 is provided with a suitable securing means 51 which is adapted to retain one end of a flexible cable connector 52 passing over a direction change grooved pulley wheel 53 suitably sec'ured to the flange 43 of the frame 42 alon I the lower edge thereof.

A ter passing over the pulley wheel 53, the cable connector 52 passes through the opening or recess 27 in the panel 17, then under the pulley wheel 28 and has its inner end suitably connected to the bracket 34 by the securing means 35 thereof.

Frame 42 is provided with suitable recesses or perforations through which wood screws such for example as54 are adapted to pass and be secured into the wood frame 11 to retain the frame 42 in position at the outer end of the opening in the wall 10.

It will now be apparent that with the door 14 in closed position as shown in Figure 1, the spring 50 retains the louvres 45 in closed position. When the (loor 14 is opened by a pull against the pressure of the doubleacting catch 36, a pull is exerted upon the cable connector 52 and it in turn will exert a downward pull upon the bar 48 thereby opening the louvres 45 against the tension of the spring 50. It will be evident that the door 14 will be in its maximum open position when the lug 33 of the stop arm 32 engages the side flange 160i? the fan assembly housing or cabinet 12. In moving from closed position to open position, the plunger 31 of the switch 30 will be projected outwardly from the switch 30 thereby making the motor circuit and permitting the fan propeller 26 to operate to create exhaust of the air within the room outwardly to the open atmosphere. As will be noted from the position of the louvres 45 in Figure 2, the louvres act as awnings to prevent the admission of rain or snow during the operative condition of the ventilator appliance. Owing to the position of the point of connection of the inner end of the cable connector with the door, it will be evident that an appreciable mechanical advantage is obtained by an operator and it will be further apparent that such mechanical advantage permits the weight of the door in open positlon, to retain the multi-vane louvreclosure in open condition.

When it is desired to permit the device to remain idle, all that is necessary is to close the inner door 14. It will be apparent that as the door 14 is moved to closed position, the switch plunger 31 is moved by the door inwardly of the switch 30 thereby breaking the electrical circuit and causing the motor to stop. At the same time the spring 50 is permitted to act upon the bar 48 to raise said bar, thereby moving the louvres 45 to closed position. As the door approaches its maximum closed position, the double acting catch 86 is tripped by the flange 16 and is adapted to yieldingly hold the door in closed position, the spring of the device tending to furnish the final closing movement to the door.

Inasmuch as it is desirable that the ventilator appliance be mounted as close to the ceiling as possible and in practice it has been found that best results are obtained from such an appliance when the upper edge thereof is approximately eight inches from the cailing, so that the knob 37 will ordinarily be out of reach of persons of average height, a suitable operating rod or pole 55 provided at its lower end with a suitable handle 56 and at its upper end with a suitable hook portion 57 may be employed to open and close the door 14.

The hook 57 is adapted to be engaged in the bracket- 38 hereinbefore described and all that is required to open the door is a pull upon such bracket through the rod or pole 55.

In mounted condition, it will be apparent that both frames 18 and 42 are substantially flush with the inner and outer faces of the wall 10 thereby presenting a device of simple and pleasing appearance.

While I have shown the device as applied to an opening in a brick wall, it will be understood that the use of the appliance is not limited thereto inasmuch as a wood frame such as 11 may be provided in buildings of any type of wall construction.

In view of the relatively small number of parts which comprise the appliance, it will be apparent that installation thereof may be accomplished with ease.

In instances where the ventilator appliance is installed in a new building, it will of course be preferable to provide the wooden frame 11 at the time of building. This wood frame however may be incorporated in a wall after the latter has been built and the plaster permitted to properly set. It will be evident that regardless of whether the device is installed in a building provided with the wood frame in the course of constructon or whether it be installed in a wood frame subsequently placed in the walls, the frames 13 and 42 in the installed condition of the ventilator appliance will effectively seal the spaces intervening between the appliance and frame and the wall, thereby making a tight fitting installation. With the device in installed condition, it will be further evident that when the door 14 and louvres 45 are in closed'position and of course the ventilator fan is idle, double security has been provided against inclement weather during the idle condition of the appliance.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a ventilator appliance which by virtue of the fact that the inner and outer portions thereof are independent of each other except for the cable connector, will fit a wall of any thickness, the minimum of course being the combined depth of the inner and outer parts; the device may be easily installed; the provision of two closures namely the inner door and outer louvres, doubly insuresiof weatherproofing security against inclement weather during the idle season of the appliance; the device is of simple and pleasing appearance both at its inner and outer sides and owing particularly to its symmetrical construction as regards the inner frame, it will be apparent that this inner frame may be finished to harmonize with the interior finish of modern color schemes employed particularly in finishing kitchens; the device is easily operated in applied condition, all that is required to operate being an opening and closing of the inner door; due to the mechanical connection between the inner and outer closures, chatter is prevented and positive operation of the multi-vane louvre closure insured; and by virtue of the inner door controlled switch for the fan assembly, operation of the fan is insured when the door is opened and stopping of the fan is insured when the door is in closed position.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, changes maybe made therein without departing from the essence of the invention or the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

- What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination in a wall ventilator appliance, an inner frame, a panel associated with said frame and adapted to sup ort a fan, said panel being spaced from said ame, a door hinged to said frame, an outer frame, .a multi-vane louvre closure for said outer frame, means normally ur in said louvre closure to closed position, a ex1ble cable connectin said louvre closure and said door where y opening of the door will open said louvre closure, said louvre closure being adapted to be retained in open position by the weight of said door and being adapted to automatically close upon closing of said door, and means operated by said door for controlling the operation of said fan.

2. A wall ventilator appliance comprisin' an inner frame provided with a spaced pane adapted to support a fan, a door hinged to said frame, an outer frame disposed in spaced relation to said panel, a multi-vane louvre closure carried by said outer frame, means connecting the louvres of said closure for simultaneous operation, spring means operatively associated with said connecting means and normally urging said louvres to closed position, a direction change pulley upon the outer frame adjacent said connecting means, a second pulle in the inner frame, a flexible cable anchore at one end to said connectinging means and passing about said pulleys, the other end of the cable being anchored to said door, whereby the louvre closure is responsive to o ening movement of the door, the wei ht o the door in open position acting to retain the louvre closure 1n open position, said spring means being effective to automatically close the louvre closure upon closing of the door, a double acting catch for retaming said door in closed position, and means directly responsive to movement of the door for controlling the operation of the fan.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 2nd day of January, 1930.

HERMAN C. HUEGLIN. 

